The Headland Hotel – luxury accommodation in a stunning coastal setting
The Headland, built in Victorian times, is perched on the peninsula overlooking Newquay’s famous Fistral Beach. Ideally placed for surfers, walkers or for a relaxing holiday, the hotel is dog-friendly and welcomes families. In addition to rooms within the hotel, there are luxury self-catering cottages if you prefer a little more privacy and independence. As I was in Cornwall already it was easy for me to visit the hotel for a night and check out what was on offer.
There is ample parking around the hotel, ideal if you are exploring the beautiful coastline of North Cornwall. I was warmly greeted at the door, my bags were whisked away, all I had to do was check in before having a tour of the hotel. The spacious ground floor has plenty of comfy seating with windows looking out to sea; both the Terrace restaurant and the more formal Samphire restaurant (named after the samphire which grows locally) are on this floor, with an open terrace going around the corner. It’s perfect for relaxing and taking in the view on a sunny day.
The basement houses the spa, with a full range of spa treatments using Elemis products, the indoor pool and steam and sauna. There is also a smaller restaurant serving light meals.
The hotel has been modernised to a very high standard with great attention to detail, making it comfortable and welcoming. My room was a suite on the third floor, a light and spacious bedroom with a four poster bed, sofa, radio and TV.
A separate toilet, bathroom with a shower and a bath and a smaller bedroom with a single bed and sofa. There are tea making facilities, a pod coffee maker and best of all a small bottle of fresh milk in the fridge. Complimentary Elemis toiletries are provided and a little box of Cornish fudge. The windows in my room looked out over the coast so I had an amazing view. I felt very much at home.
Having settled in it was time to go for a stroll to explore the headland. A short walk from the Headland Hotel is the Huer’s Hut, a strange white building high on the cliffs. Thought to have originated in the 14thCentury, this was a lookout for the Huer, whose job was to alert the town when he spotted the pilchard shoals approaching. It’s certainly an unusual building and in a prominent position for looking out to sea.
Returning to the hotel it was time to freshen up before heading to the Samphire restaurant for dinner. My table was by the window with an excellent view of Fistral Beach and the sea was filled with surfers which were very entertaining to watch. The extensive menu caters for all the main dietary requirements, with additional daily specials.
For my starter I chose crab and prawn tagliatelle with chilli, garlic and rocket, it was a generous portion and very tasty. To follow pan-fried hake verdure with headland samphire and mussel butter sauce was full of flavour.
Feeling the need for a lighter dessert I plumped for the lemon polenta cake with toasted meringue and roasted lemon sorbet, it was beautifully presented with a tangy lemon taste. To accompany my dinner a bottle of house white wine, a dry Côtes de Gascogne.
Having eaten well, I wandered outside to take in the view and watch the sunset. It was a truly magnificent sunset as the sun slowly set on the horizon.
It was time for bed; I had asked for the turndown service and a small tray with a sprig of lavender, some Elemis sleep spray and two bite-sized fudge pieces were laid out on the comfy bed. I quickly drifted off to sleep with the sound of the waves crashing on the headland outside. I slept very soundly and woke up feeling refreshed.
Breakfast is served in the Samphire restaurant, a choice of coffee or tea and a buffet with cereals, pastries, fresh fruit and hot dishes. Gluten-free bread is provided, along with vegan croissants.
After breakfast, I went for a walk along beautiful Fistral Beach, a very short distance away, as the tide was slowly going out. There are some shops and cafes by the beach, which also has a full lifeguard service. Surfers were already riding the waves, for beginners, there are surfing lessons available either through the Headland hotel or at the beach itself. I walked the length of the beautiful sandy beach.
I lunched at the Terrace restaurant which serves food all day, including afternoon tea. There is a good choice of main dishes or lighter options. I chose a dressed crab with rocket and chips which was just right. A strawberry and basil lemonade was very refreshing.
In the afternoon I was booked into the spa for the marine ritual treatment, one of the most popular treatments available. I am a big fan of spa treatments so I was really looking forward to it. The relaxation room at the spa resembles a cosy cave, with wooden walls, recliners and very subtle lighting – it can be used before or after your treatment. The treatment was just what I needed; a body scrub, full body massage and a mini facial leaving my skin soft and supple.
The Headland welcomes non-residents to use the spa facilities, gym or eat at the restaurants so it would definitely be a good place to visit if you were already in the area. A new, luxury, facility, The Aqua Club is under construction and is due to open in 2020.
I was a guest of the Headland Hotel staying in one of the luxury suites. It is a stylish hotel in a stunning coastal setting, away from the developed coastline of Newquay itself. It has everything you would need for a fabulous holiday. I will certainly go back again to eat lunch if I am in the area.
The Headland Hotel would be ideal for a short break or weekend getaway. Newquay airport is very handy, around fifteen minutes by taxi, with four flights a day from London Heathrow airport. By car, the Headland is around five hours from London.
The Headland is a luxury four-star hotel with five-star self-catering cottages, set in an exclusive clifftop location overlooking Fistral Beach in Newquay. With 95 rooms and suites, it has some of the best coastal views in Cornwall and prides itself on its award-winning customer service. The hotel’s two AA Rosette Samphire Restaurant, led by executive chef Christopher Archambault, uses local produce to offer a modern take on classic dishes.
For more information, visit https://www.headlandhotel.co.uk/ or call 01637 872211. The Headland Hotel and spa, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1EW.
Disclosure: I was a guest of The Headland Hotel, but all content is editorially given.
We are currently working on a Cornwall and Devon hotel guide. In the meantime, if you are looking for alternative places to stay in the West of England do check out our guide to Pennsylvania Castle in Dorset and to the Manor near Bicester in Oxfordshire. Both heartily recommended.
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